White Paper on Energy Policy

In the March 1999 White Paper on Energy Policy, the government stated that it intended to pursue an energy policy that would support an ambitious environmental policy. Norway must prepare for a future in which energy, and electricity in particular, is in shorter supply and becomes a more valuable commodity. The necessary shifts in energy production and use must take place in a way that has an acceptable impact on public welfare. The governments objectives for limiting energy use, and bringing about a shift in energy production and use are to: - Limit energy use considerably more than would be the case if developments were allowed to continue unchecked. - Increase annual use of central heating based on new renewable energy sources, heat pumps and waste heat by 4 TWh by 2010. - Construct wind generators with a production capacity of 3 TWh/year by 2010. - Increase the land-based use of natural gas. To achieve these objectives, a package of energy measures will be needed, including a gradual increase of the electricity tax combined with grants for investments within a framework of up to NKr 5 billion over a ten-year period. The government also intends to expand the role that the municipalities and county municipalities play in energy policy.The statements on limiting energy use and a shift in energy use and new energy production were confirmed when the Parliament discussed the White Paper on Energy Policy in March 2000. The financial package was also confirmed.